50 Haryana Youths Deported from US: Trapped by Fake Agents, Families Lose Land and Savings in Shocking Immigration Scam

In a shocking immigration scam, 50 youths from Haryana were deported from the US after being trapped by fake agents

At least 50 youths in the ages of 25 to 30 have been deported from the US to Haryana in handcuffs after having travelled there via the ‘dunki’ route.Naresh Kumar, one of the 14 Kaithal youths sent back from the US, told mediapersons: “I sold my agricultural land and paid an agent Rs 57 lakh to go to the US via the Panama jungle route. After spending 14 months in jail, I was deported.”

“He took Rs 42 lakh initially, then Rs 6 lakh in Guatemala, another Rs 6 lakh when I reached Mexico, and the rest was taken when we crossed the border. But instead of helping me reach the US safely, they got me arrested and put in jail,” he said. Naresh asked for action against the agent and appealed to others not to take the ‘dunki’ route.Sources said that apart from the 16 youths from Karnal, 14 were from Kaithal, five from Kurukshetra, three from Jind, and a few others from Ambala, Panipat, and nearby areas.

Karnal police DSP Sandeep Kumar told mediapersons that a total of 16 individuals had been received by their team. “The youths were brought from the Delhi airport by CM squad personnel and handed over to their families at the police lines,” said a police official.Karnal police DSP Sandeep Kumar told mediapersons that a total of 16 individuals had been received by their team.A police official said, “The youths were brought from the Delhi airport by CM squad personnel and handed over to their families at the police lines.”Kaithal SP Upasana told TOI that all the deportees have been handed over to their families. All records are being checked thoroughly and one person was found to have a criminal background, police said.

Jind SP Kuldeep Singh said three local men have been sent back from US after travelling there illegally. DSP Sandeep Kumar handed them to their families.“Travelling abroad through the ‘dunki’ route is a serious criminal offence and also tarnishes the image of our society. Such illegal journeys not only lead to financial loss but also pose a grave threat to life. In many cases, youths face physical abuse, fraud, and even death along the way,” SP Singh warned.Appealing to all district residents, the SP said anyone who wishes to go abroad should always do so through legal and proper channels.He added that police are keeping a close watch on such activities, and strict legal action will be taken against anyone trying to mislead youths.

In a heartbreaking turn of events, 50 young men from Haryana have been deported from the United States, exposing a massive illegal immigration racket that has left dozens of families financially and emotionally devastated. These youths, lured by the promise of the “American dream,” sold ancestral land, borrowed huge sums of money, and risked their lives crossing multiple countries — only to be detained, handcuffed, and eventually sent back to India.

For many in Haryana’s rural belts, especially in districts like Kaithal, Karnal, and Jind, the United States symbolizes limitless opportunities. Unscrupulous travel and immigration agents exploit this sentiment by offering fraudulent “shortcuts” to reach the US through illegal border routes, often called the “donkey route” or dunki in local slang.

These agents promise guaranteed entry and quick settlement in America, charging anywhere between ₹25 lakh to ₹40 lakh per person. Families, desperate to secure a better future for their children, end up selling farmland, mortgaging homes, or taking high-interest loans — unaware that they’re walking into a trap.

According to reports, the deported youths were taken through a perilous route spanning several countries in Central and South America. Many crossed through Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Mexico, and Guatemala, often trekking through dense jungles and dangerous terrains like the Darién Gap — a notorious stretch known for its harsh conditions and rampant criminal activity.

Survivors described horrifying experiences: days without food, encounters with armed groups, and harsh weather conditions. Some were detained by border authorities in Mexico, while others made it to the US-Mexico border only to be caught by American immigration officials.

The US authorities, in collaboration with Indian agencies, recently deported around 50 Indian nationals, most of them from Haryana, who had entered the country illegally. On arrival in India, the youths were questioned by immigration and intelligence officials before being handed over to their families.

The return has shattered the dreams of these individuals and left their families in dire financial straits. Many have lost everything — their land, savings, and in some cases, their homes. Parents who had invested their life’s earnings are now struggling to repay debts.

The fraudulent agents who orchestrated the racket have reportedly gone underground, leaving no trace behind. Families across Haryana have filed complaints with local police and the Special Task Force (STF) against these human traffickers.

Authorities are now investigating the network, which appears to have connections extending to Delhi, Punjab, and Gujarat. Officials suspect that several international intermediaries may also be involved, working in coordination with Indian touts.

The Haryana government has announced plans to launch an awareness campaign to educate youth about the dangers of illegal migration and fake visa offers. Officials are urging families to verify agents’ credentials and apply only through legitimate channels approved by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Experts emphasize that such tragic cases highlight the need for better employment opportunities and skill-based education in rural India to prevent young people from falling prey to such scams.

The deportation of these 50 Haryana youths is a stark reminder of the risks involved in chasing dreams through illegal means. Behind every “success story” of an undocumented immigrant lies a thousand tales of loss, exploitation, and shattered families.

As Haryana mourns its lost dreams, this incident serves as a wake-up call — not just for the victims, but for the entire nation — to strengthen laws against human trafficking and to build safer, legal pathways to global opportunities.

50 Haryana Youths Deported from US: Trapped by Fake Agents, Families Lose Land and Savings in Shocking Immigration Scam